GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro residents and city leaders took time out of their first day of the new year to lay flowers, candles, and letters on Sgt. Philip Dale Nix's memorial.
Kristi Luther was one of many to come down to the police department and lay flowers on top of the patrol car Monday.
"This was just one small way to come down here and tell this man and his family thank you for this senseless loss of a hero," explained Luther.
City Manager, Taiwo Jaiyeoba said he woke up with Sgt. Nix at the top of mind.
"John 15:13 came to mind, it says, greater love has no man than as a man who laid down his life for his friends. That's the tribute I wrote down there for him," said Jaiyeoba.
City councilman Zack Matheny brought his kids to the memorial. They wrote letters and placed them on the police car's hood.
"That's the key. We've got great women and men that serve and protect us every day and we just wanted to say thank you," said Matheny.
Tokens of flowers, candles, and letters express the community's gratitude towards Sgt. Nix's ultimate sacrifice.
"They're not off duty, they're never off duty and to step up," Matheny continued. "It's the place that he used to go to often. He wanted to protect people that he probably saw every day maybe buying a cup of coffee or just getting gas or whatnot."
City Manager Jaiyeoba said Sgt. Nix was one of the city's greatest employees. He plans to dedicate 2024 to him.
"We can really serve his memory well is to make sure that if you see something say something. Public safety is not just the responsibility of law enforcement officers alone, but my responsibility, your responsibility, and everybody's responsibility," said Jaiyeoba.